It Started With Trust
Long before a bank was built, Charles "Honest Uncle Charlie" Pittelkow built something people needed even more.
He built trust.
In the late 1800s, Milwaukee was growing with immigrants who had left everything familiar behind in search of a better future. They dreamed of owning a home, but first they needed a way to save for one. Just as importantly, they needed someone they could trust to help them get there.
Known as "Honest Uncle Charlie," Charles Pittelkow earned that trust by helping hardworking families build their savings and, eventually, achieve homeownership.
When The Equitable Savings Building and Loan Association was founded in 1927, it carried that same purpose forward: helping neighbors save today so they could build tomorrow.
Nearly a century later, that purpose continues to guide every relationship we build. Whether we're guiding you as a first-time homebuyer, connecting you to valuable resources for your business, or standing beside you in support of community initiatives, our goal is to serve and grow with you.
Being Equitable has never been about one side winning. It's about creating relationships where everyone succeeds together.
The People Behind the Name
Every relationship starts with people. The people who answer the phone,respond to your texts, solve problems, celebrate milestones, and show up for our customers every day.
Many of those same people started in entry-level roles and discovered opportunities they never expected. Through mentorship, curiosity, and hands-on experience, they became lenders, managers, specialists, and leaders.
The same trust we build with our customers is reflected in the way we invest in one another. We believe great ideas come from every corner of the bank, and the best way to serve our communities is to listen, and never be afraid to roll up our sleeves when someone needs our help.
Looking Ahead, Together.
As we approach our 100th anniversary, we aren't focused on our past—we're focused on earning the future.
We'll continue embracing new technology while keeping local decision-making and personal relationships at the heart of everything we do. We'll continue investing in our employees, our neighborhoods, and the people who place their trust in us every day.
Because that's what it means to be Equitable.